82 THE NATURAL HISTORY OF 



and at the same time whirled round with such velocity 

 that the boat-steerer was precipitated into the water, on 

 the side next to the fish, and was accidentally carried 

 down to a considerable depth by its tail. After a minute 

 or so he arose to the surface of the water, and was taken 

 up along with his companions into my boat. A similar 

 attack was made on the next boat which came up ; but 

 the harpooner, being warned of the prior conduct of the 

 fish, used such precaution that the blow, though equal 

 in strength, took effect only in an inferior degree. The 

 boat was slightly stove. The activity and skill of the 

 lancers soon overcame this designing whale, accomplished 

 its capture, and added its produce to the cargo of the 

 ship." 



Such intentional mischief on the part of a whale as 

 seems to have been displayed in this instance is not 

 frequent. It is probable, indeed, that nothing properly 

 deserving the name of an intention to inflict injury can 

 justly be attributed to the animal in any circumstances ; 

 these violent movements are merely the convulsions 

 either of agony or of trepidation and intense fear. 

 With all its enormous physical strength, the whale is 

 singularly gentle and harmless — so remarkably so indeed 

 that it has been characterized by those who have had 

 the best opportunities of observing it as a stupid animal. 

 It would require better proof, I think, than the mere 

 absence of ferocity to make out this conclusion. There 

 are some circumstances which would rather seem to show 

 that the creature is possessed of considerable sagacity. 

 It exhibits the usual instinctive sense of danger when 

 it perceives the approach of its natural enemy, man ; 

 and, both before and after it has been struck with the 

 harpoon, it most commonly adopts the very best expe- 

 dients open to it to give itself a chance of escape. If a 



